Sisi transfers presidential powers to PM

Aug. 26, 2014 18:00

President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi - YOUM7 (Archive)

By THE CAIRO POST

CAIRO: President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi issued Monday Presidential Decree No. 293 for year 2014, which hands off a number of previously presidential powers to Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab, in accordance with the Constitution.

“The President of the Republic may delegate some of his powers to the Prime Minister, his deputies, ministers, or governors. None of them may delegate such authorities to others. All of the foregoing shall be regulated by Law,” Article 148 of the 2014 Constitution reads.

Mahlab’s new duties allow him to “dispose of state property and the expropriation of property free of charge, for the public benefit and protection of monuments,” the decision statement read.

The prime minister is now also allowed to grant exceptional pensions and rewards, to approve allowances, loans or grant compensation for damages or losses that include state employees, public bodies, public sector companies, public businesses, Al-Azhar, the Arabic Language Academy, universities, public facilities and the local administrations.

Constitutionalist Shawqy el-Sayed said that the delegation of these tasks will simplify the decision-making process and make it faster, ensuring that “the president is keen to his responsibilities but also that he believes in distribution of power and assumption of responsibility,” Youm7 reported.

The decision also delegated Mahlab to choose from the ministers who will work in his place should he be absent or unable to work.

Sisi’s decision has so far met with little opposition, but previous executive decisions made by former President Mohamed Morsi did.

Morsi issued a constitutional declaration on Nov. 21, 2012 in which he gave himself wide executive powers, and gave his decisions immunity from appeal. This irked many of his critics.

On Dec. 9, 2012, Morsi canceled the declaration after protests against it kicked off, followed by clashes at Ithadeya presidential palace.